Established to celebrate the lives of Imose Esosa Ikpia, Chikaora Credell Zion Ogbuji, and Anyachiemeka Chibuzo Anastar Ogbuji.
Imose Esosa Ikpia
16 September, 2001 - 1 December 2007
Imose (EE-moh-say) Esosa Ikpia was the daughter of Roschelle Ogbuji (Oh-BOO-jee) & Dr. Victor Ikpia. Imose's first and middle names translate into English as: Beautiful Gift from God, and Imose was truly a beautiful gift from God.
Very much her father's little princess, Imose loved dressing in frilly dresses, ribbons, and bows. Not only was she bright, clever, and warm, but Imose also had a natural talent in the arts, and has always been a dancer. Her friendly personality and sweet, easy smile made her a popular student at Lomond Elementary. Some of Imose's favorite things were butterflies, hearts, and rainbows.
Chikaora Credell Zion Ogbuji
23 November 2005 - 1 December 2007
Chikaora (CHEE-kah-aw-rah) Credell Zion Ogbuji, also known as Chika, was the daughter of Roschelle and Chimezie Ogbuji. Chika had a very strong personality, and her eyes reflected the strength of her spirit. Unlike her older sister Imose, Chika was less of a girlie-girl and much more of rough and tumble tomboy. She loved walking tall on her tippy toes and playing with her older brother Chidi (7). Chika would often use sheer will and her body weight to wrestle Chidi down to the ground. She was very protective of her younger sister Anya, and like Imose she loved to dance. Her father noted that she was crazy about Dora the Explorer, and no one will ever forget her radiant smile.
Anyachiemeka Chibuzo Anastar Ogbuji
7 October 2006 - 4 December 2007
Anyachiemeka Chibuzo Anastar Ogbuji (Ah-nyah-CHEE-eh-meh-kah), also known as Anya, was the youngest child of Roschelle and Chimezie Ogbuji. Anya's parents were thankful for her incredibly bright smile, which greeted them each morning as soon as she awakened. Her father maintains that for the first six months of her life, Anya rarely cried, and with the serenity of a sage, she was silently watchful. Anya loved her mother so much that she was affectionately called the "Klingon," due to her unwillingness to let go of her mother's leg. We will never forget Anya's exuberance for life nor her strength of character, which paralleled that of her older siblings.
About the Kingdom Kids
Imose referred to herself and her sisters as the "Kingdom Kids" - a name derived from their passion for praise and worship at their local church. The family has set up a charitable trust in the name of the "Kingdom Kids" at KeyBank in the hopes that some good may come out of this tragedy. Kingdom Kids will help provide families with information and support to help protect other young children from the hazards of house fires.
Funeral for the sisters
Posted 8 December, 2007
The funeral for the sisters was held on
Saturday, 8th December at
First Baptist Church on Fairmount Blvd.,
3630 Fairmont Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio.
Interment followed immediately at Cleveland Memorial Gardens located on South Green Road.
Nigerian Community in Greater Cleveland (NCGC)
Posted 6 December, 2007
The entire Members of the
Nigerian Community in Greater Cleveland (NCGC)
join the families of
Parents: Chimezie & Roschelle Ogbuji and Dr. Victor Ikpia
&
Grandparents: Dr. Linus & Margaret Ogbuji and Edward & Starling West
in this mourning and grieving
time due to the untimely and tragic loss of their
Children and Grandchildren (Imose, Chikaora and Anachiemeka).
We pray that their Souls Rest with the Lord, Amen.
Chuck Iyke Nnabuife
President, NCGC
Folarin family
Posted 6 December, 2007
I met Imose and Roschelle while she was at First Baptist day care with my son Muyiwa. Since then I have seen Imose,Chika and Anya grow into beautiful girls representing the Glory of God. Our whole family will miss them but we look forward to that day when we will meet again at that joyous reunion.We Stand with The Ogbuji and Ikpia families in this difficult time and pray for the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Love, The Folarins
Grandparents' lament
Posted 6 December, 2007
In Evergreen Memory of our Beloved Granddaughters
After five grandsons in rather quick succession, we were anxious for granddaughters; and then it was that they began to arrive: first Imose, then Chika, and finally Anya. And what little darlings they were! Imose became our adoptive grandchild by her own special request: “Um, Mr. Oboojie, you are Chika’s grandpa; can you be my grandpa too?” Chika and Anya, on the other hand, knew nothing of grandparents except as large and yielding bodies against which to snuggle up sometimes. Middle age has no joy more sublime than the patter of wobbly little feet within that proverbial “empty nest.”
Providence sent the girls to grace our lives, but a cruel tragedy took them all away before the little ones learned to say “grandpa” or “grandma.” But we only needed to see that twinkle of baby mischief in Chika’s eyes or feel the warmth of Anya’s puckered and drooling lips to know we were loved — and blessed. Theirs was an innocent and fully trusting love; its afterglow will warm our hearts for the rest of our lives. The three sisters were inseparable in life, and it is perhaps fitting that they have become inseparable in death.
We mourn our granddaughters and regret that their time with us was short. But what is time, after all, except a background to the progression of human interactions? And our interactions with our granddaughters were full, rich, and abundantly rewarding. We rejoice that baby Anya still lives not only in our hearts and memories, but literally by proxy in the lives that have been extended with her organs donated for transplant.
Goodbye, Kingdom Kids! We loved you. We still love you. We will always love you.
Your grandparents forever:
Linus & Margaret Ogbuji
Dr. Offodile
Posted 6 December, 2007
A Tribute to Our Beloved Imose, Chika, and Anya
The Bible assures us in Wisdom 3:1-9 that:
“The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.”
It is with that belief that we mourn the passing of our beloved children Imose, Chika, and Anya. We are grateful for the brief but wonderful times the Lord gave us with you; to know you, care for you, and love you. The glow of your loving smiles will remain indelible in our wonderful memories of you. Your laughter and the pitter-patter of your tender feet will remain forever tattooed into our minds. It was wonderful while the smile and laughter lasted and we will always remember you as long as we live.
We mourn your passing because of our selfishness; wishing that we had you forever to ourselves. We mourn because of our love for you! But the Lord loves you more. God knows best and has called you to Himself. With him you have eternal rest and happiness. No harm can come to you any more. Rejoice in the Lord. If we had the choice, we would have been there instead of you. You barely lived but it is by God’s will that you have preceded us to His kingdom. He has set apart the Godly and the righteous and gathers them to Himself. Enjoy, our children, for you are among the Lord’s chosen ones. Death has lost again and is swallowed up in victory!
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
God be with you our children until we meet again!
With love from,
Buchi & Amaka Offodile
Ejike Ogbuji and Kenishia
Posted 6 December, 2007
They were the best babies! Every time I saw them, they had the biggest smiles on their faces. It was a joy to have met them. Imose, Chika, and Anya I love you babies and you all are in my heart forever. Imose I’m going to eat our favorite cookies for you baby. To Roschelle and Chime, thank you for giving me three babies to love and care for.
Love, Ti Ti Kenishia
I will always remember Imose, Chika, and Anya. They are angels and are in their rightful place at God’s side. We will all mourn and miss them down here, but I know that they are in a better place. They were my only nieces, all 3 of them and I know they knew how much Uncle loved them. My Condolences go out to their parents and everyone that knew them. God’s will being done is always a good thing.
Love, Uncle Ejike
Wake for the sisters
Posted 6 December, 2007
A brief wake will be held at the Ogbuji family house
- Venue
- 2736 Green Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122 - Date
- Friday, Dec 7 2007
- Time
- 6 pm to 8 pm only.
Please note:
- Anyone who can attend MUST visit between the hours of 6pm to 8pm only. This window will give the family time to get ready for Saturday’s activities and also because they have a lot of guests from out of town.
- Parking is available at the RTA station on Shaker and Green Rd. Please do not park in the driveway.
Baby Anya's organ donation
Posted 6 December, 2007
Upon her passing Anyachiemeka's organs were donated LifeBanc, an organ procurement organization that serves Northeastern Ohio. The families of the Kingdom Kids strongly encourage organ donation, especially among populations with a lower incidence of donation, such as minority children. Nearly 100,000 people are waiting for a life saving organ in the United States. For more information see the formal statement from LifeBanc
December 1st tragedy
Posted 5 December, 2007
With heavy hearts, the Ogbuji and West families announce the passing of their daughters Imose (6), Chikaora (2), and Anyachiemeka (14 months), victims of the tragic house fire at 3711 Rawnsdale Street in Shaker Heights, December 1, 2007. Imose and Chikaora died the same day of smoke inhalation, while Anyachiemeka succumbed December 4, 2007 following a valiant struggle for her life.
Big brother Chidi
Posted 4 December, 2007
The sisters' big brother Chidiebere (CHEE-dee-eh-beh-reh) Ogbuji (abbreviated "Chidi") lives with his mother Davina Wittick and her husband Gordon Wittick in Houston.